Released documents, photos reveal new info in Chris Cornell suicide

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Police have released the crime scene investigation report about the death of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in a Detroit hotel room in May.

The report released Tuesday through a Freedom of Information Act request (see documents below) states that the 52-year-old Cornell had a "well defined ligature mark present on the neck/throat area."

Cornell was found May 18 by his bodyguard, who had kicked in the door to the musician's room at the MGM Grand Casino Hotel. A resistance band was around Cornell's neck and the other end was attached to a clip over the top of the bathroom door.

Soundgarden had performed hours earlier in Detroit.

In the police report, Cornell's bodyguard Martin Kirsten said the Soundgarden star's wife had called him saying she could not get ahold of him. He told police that hotel security refused to help him open the room because it wasn't his.

"She told me to kick it open," he said, adding that inside Cornell's room 1136 he found the bedroom door locked. "I called the operator and told her that I needed security to open the bedroom door. They refused again and I told them that I am going to damage the hotel room and that they need to send security and call 911 and call an ambulance."

Karsten said that Cornell's wife Vicki was on the phone during that time asking for updates, claiming that she had called the front desk of the MGM Grand but they had hung up on her.

The bodyguard kicked in the door and told police he found Cornell laying on the bathroom floor with blood running from his mouth and a red exercise band around his neck.

A medical examiner determined that Cornell hanged himself. An autopsy determined that Cornell had sedatives and an anti-anxiety drug in his system, but that they didn't contribute to his death.

More coverage:
Toxicology report: Chris Cornell had prescription drugs in system at time of suicide
Medical Examiner: Chris Cornell died by suicide
Chris Cornell's fans gather for vigil outside FOX Theatre
Detroit fans, DJs remember and honor Chris Cornell

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If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.


-The Associated Press contributed to this report

Detroit police interview 1 Chris Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

Detroit police interview 2 Chris Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

Detroit police interview 3 Chris Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

Chris Cornell investigation report 1 by David Komer on Scribd

Chris Cornell investigation report 2 by David Komer on Scribd

Reporting officer narrative Cornell death 1 by David Komer on Scribd

DPD Inter-Office memorandum Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

Crime Scene Investigation 1 Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

Crime Scene Investigation 2 Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

Crime Scene Investigation 3 Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

DPD event report 1 Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

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DPD event report 2 Cornell death by David Komer on Scribd

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Autopsy Report Chris Cornell by David Komer on Scribd

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Toxicology Report Chris Cornell by David Komer on Scribd